Walcott’s injury has left Wenger short of attacking options (Picture: Eddie Keogh/Reuters)

Arsene Wenger has admitted Theo Walcott’s knee injury has added urgency to Arsenal’s search for a new frontman.

Walcott has been ruled out for the rest of the season with ruptured ligaments in his left knee, leading Wenger to concede he will look to add another central striker to his squad during the current transfer window.

With Nicklas Bendtner three weeks away from full fitness following an ankle injury Olivier Giroud is Wenger’s only targetman and the Gunners boss admitted: ‘(The injury) has accelerated speculation first and of course my desire as well.

‘Up front we lose Theo as a potential central forward and that’s maybe where we have to look outside. We are there for the opportunities but it’s very difficult at the moment.’